NBA Player News
-
Jusuf Nurkic C | UTA
Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Good to go Sunday
Nurkic (illness) is available for Sunday's game against the Raptors.
Nurkic sat out Friday's loss to Brooklyn due to the illness, though he'll return to action Sunday. In eight January appearances, the veteran big man averaged 16.0 points, 12.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.5 steals in 30.0 minutes per contest. With Nurkic back in the lineup, Kyle Filipowski is expected to slide to the second unit.
-
Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Iffy Sunday
Wembanyama (calf) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Magic.
Wembanyama is on the injury report Sunday due to left calf soreness after a modest showing in Saturday's loss to the Hornets, during which he finished with 16 points (6-15 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one steal across 31 minutes. The big man has appeared in the Spurs' past 13 games, averaging 23.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.7 assists in 27.8 minutes per game during that stretch. If Wembanyama is unable to suit up, Luke Kornet is likely to step in as the starting center.
-
Duop Reath C | ATL
Hawks' Duop Reath: Shipped to Atlanta
The Trail Blazers traded Reath (foot) and two future second-round picks to the Hawks on Sunday in exchange for Vit Krejci (ankle), Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Reath recently underwent season-ending surgery to address a stress reaction in his right foot, so he won't be available for Atlanta down the stretch and is a restricted free agent this offseason. It's unclear what his role will be for Atlanta moving forward, but on the surface, the two draft picks, along with opening up a roster spot for more potential moves, appear to be the main prize for Portland in this deal. Reath made 32 appearances this season and played double-digit minutes 14 times, scoring in double figures twice.
-
Nikola Vucevic C | BOS
Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Playing Sunday vs. Miami
Vucevic (rest) is not listed on the injury report for Sunday's game against the Heat.
Vucevic sat out of the front end of the Bulls' back-to-back set with the Heat on Saturday, but the veteran big man will be available for Sunday's contest. He averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.6 threes and 1.1 blocks over 33.0 minutes per game in January.
-
Jusuf Nurkic C | UTA
Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Trending toward playing Sunday
Nurkic (illness) has been upgraded to probable for Sunday's game against the Raptors.
An illness has prevented Nurkic from playing in two of the Jazz's last three games. It looks like the veteran big man will be available for Sunday's road tilt, and his return would likely lead to Kyle Filipowski shifting to a bench role. Nurkic has averaged 16.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 0.8 steals over 29.2 minutes per game over his last five outings.
-
Naz Reid C | MIN
Timberwolves' Naz Reid: Leads second unit in win
Reid finished Saturday's 131-114 win over the Grizzlies with 20 points (7-14 FG, 6-10 3Pt), nine rebounds, five assists and three steals in 31 minutes off the bench.
The 26-year-old big scored more points than the rest of Minnesota's second unit combined (11 points). Reid already has one Sixth Man of the Year Award on his resume from 2023-24, and he's building a good case to win another. Over his last seven games, all off the bench, he's averaging 15.6 points, 8.0 boards, 3.3 assists, 3.3 threes, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks in 27.9 minutes.
-
Rudy Gobert C | MIN
Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert: Dominates glass against Grizzlies
Gobert ended Saturday's 131-114 victory over Memphis with nine points (4-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-4 FT), 16 rebounds, two blocks and two steals across 31 minutes.
The veteran center came up one point shy of his 23rd double-double of the season. Gobert failed to pull down double-digit boards only twice in January, averaging 10.3 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 14 games on the month while shooting 68.2 percent from the floor, but just 47.5 percent from the charity stripe.
-
Yves Missi C | NO
Pelicans' Yves Missi: Four rejections in Philly
Missi notched seven points (3-8 FG, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and four blocks in 28 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 124-114 loss to Philadelphia.
The second-year center tied his season high in blocks, a mark he's reached twice in the last three games. Missi still isn't much of a contributor on offense, but over the last 12 games he's averaging 2.0 blocks along with 6.7 points, 7.3 boards and 1.6 assists in 22.8 minutes from the second unit.
-
Clint Capela C | HOU
Rockets' Clint Capela: Sticks in rotation Saturday
Capela ended Saturday's 111-107 victory over the Mavericks with six points (3-6 FG), four rebounds, one assist and one steal over 13 minutes.
Capela remained in the rotation, serving as a backup center option behind Alperen Sengun. With Steven Adams out for the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury, Capela is likely to feature on most nights, albeit in a sporadic role. Despite the opportunity, he should be viewed as nothing more than a potential streaming option for anyone needing rebounds and blocks.
-
Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Double-doubles in loss
Gafford amassed 16 points (7-10 FG, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds and one assist across 28 minutes during Saturday's 111-107 loss to the Rockets.
Gafford recorded his first double-double in his past seven appearances while also logging at least 25 minutes for the second straight game. While it has been a season full of disappointment, Gafford is beginning to show signs of life. With very little in terms of viable competition for minutes, Gafford is trending toward being a must-roster player, especially if he can remain healthy for the foreseeable future.